Exercise for 2-28-11

Elyptical: 20 Minute Workout Miles: 1.6 Calories Burned: 141 ---------- Free weights used: 8 LBS Bicep Curls: 40 Reps Single Press: 40 Reps Shoulder Press: 40 Reps Bench Press: 40 Reps NuStep Machine: 8 minutes Workload 1-10: 7 Treadmill: 10 minutes on 3.5 speed ---------- *Attempted to use the Yoga Ball and sat on it and my butt darn near hit the ground while on the BALL! No lie! The ball was definately a No-Go.!!

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The Weekend...

Well this weekend was.... let's say interesting. I could have made better choices with the foods I ate. I had a crazy candy craving and I ate a handful of spice drops, you know..the sugar coated jelly candie things? They were tasty but not worth it however. I know I'll make mistakes along this journey so I'm not being too hard on myself. Tomorrow I'm getting my second fill. Yay! I'm a little nervous b/c I have been eating Orowheat Flatbreads which are high in fiber (5g) and only 100 calories. I eat that with roasted turkey, swiss cheese and Kraft Olive Oil Mayo. I love that meal! I wonder at what point with my fills will bread begin to bother me?? Well off to hit the treadmill and possibly the Elyptical. TTFN!

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Dizziness...

The last 2 days I've been getting a little lightheaded. Kind of like everything would be normal then I'd get a little dizzy. I wonder if my iron is low. I have not been using vitamins. Maybe this is the problem...

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A shake I made today...

Good Morning,
I made an awesome shake today.  I put 4 oz. of Kefir Strawberry Banana Probiotic smoothie in a blender along with 1 scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder (26 grams of protein), 3 ice cubes and 3 frozen strawberries. I blended that bad boy up in my Bullet Bender knock-off and it came out a consistency of a shake.  It was very good! The reason why I used a little bit of probiotic smoothie in it was to help me stay regular. The Kefir probiotic works quickly; within 24 hours for me. I put the vanilla protein in it to add some extra protein to my morning diet.  This will help me stay satisfied longer.  As for my pics, I haven't posted any yet because me trying to get my 5 year old take my pic didn't work out.  I don't have to work tomorrow so I'll have my hubby take them. TTFN!

Good Morning!

Weight check.  I lost an additional 1.6 pounds since last week. My goal was 2.5 pounds weekly but I'm happy I lost something...I got in late last night so pics yet.  Oh, how I wish my 5 year old could take my pic..Wait....You know, I might just try to teach him to take mommy's pic..LOL!

I had Flax cereal and a banana for breakfast.  It had 5 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. It was good but maybe I should have had my iced protein drink with dab of instant coffee crystals.   Oh, well maybe I'll make it later today...Have an awesome day! TTFN!

Goooood Morning!

Hello all! Lately I have had a couple of things on my mind about my band.  So far, I am completely happy with it.  I don't have trouble keeping things down, I am never nauseated. I know everyone if different, I but I have heard people say they feel this and we have just the same amount of CC's in our bands.  This is very puzzeling to me, however, I am grateful I am not having complications......so far. 

I haven't taken any new pictures of myself because I needed new batteries for my camera. I went and got sum today so later I will try to post pics of myself on Obesityhelp.com.  I am feeling very confident as I keep losing weight.  I cannot wait to weigh myself today (currently I'm not at home).  I need to step my game up as far as exercising so I plan on taking some classes at the local YMCA.  My main problem areas are my legs, arms and stomach...heck my whole body has problem areas..LOL.  Anyhow, Friday evening I found myself standing in line for Famous Dave's.  I just wanted to order a little sandwich and eat some supple BBQ.  I looked at my mom and was like..."Should I?"  We walked outta there with no sandwich in hand, or in my stomach.   I then went to Walgreen's and got sum Wasabi n' Soy Sauce Blue Diamond Almonds which were the bomb diggety.  But that's what I get for not packin' snacks to take with me, I'll want to eat things I shouldn't.  Not that BBQ is bad, it's fast food BBQ.

I bought a little insulated lunch pail that evening for 99 cents.  It's a small compact thing and of course it's pink and colorful.  That's me!!! I will be putting snacks in it and taking it with me from now on.  I love the feeling of putting on clothes that were too tight that now feel loose.  I don't want to mess that feeling up so I need to watch what I put into my mouth.  I find myself dancing in the mirror and shakin' my tush....LOL!  What can I say, it feels really good losin' weight. We'll I gotta go and get ready for the day.. BTW, Feed my fishies in the upper left hand corner of my blog........ TTFN!

Another Awesome Find....

I have been drinking these for about 2 weeks now. I have one can daily. I happened to come across them in the healthy food section at Hy-Vee Food Store and they were on sale 4 for $5.  They are usually $2.99 a can.  The story behind the product goes...

"It all began with health scientists trying to create a product to provide sustained energy for chemotherapy patients.  They discovered Quercetin (pronounced kwur-si-tin), a powerful all natural antioxidant and combined it with Green Tea Catechins.  Their patented formula was called FRS, and it quickly became the "secret weapon" for many elite athletes." -Quoted from the back of the can.

I only buy the Low Cal ones.  They don't taste bad at all.  They have only 25 calories per 11.5 FL OZ can and only 4 Carbs.  Make it "protein-y" and put flavorless protein powder in it. Yummy...
*Photo credit http://www.frs.com/

Eating after my fill

Since having my fill Tuesday, I am feeling no different. This is great.  I was able to eat with no problem. Speaking of food.... My favorite breakfast food is Fit&Active Maple Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal. Yumm-o! Here is info on it for 1 packet:

• Calories: 160 / Total Fat: 3g / Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 290mg / Potassium: 150mg / Carbs: 29g
• Fiber: 6g / Protein: 7g

This fills me up and gets me going until lunch. If you haven't tried it yet, get some. I have other things I use daily that I will try to post later. Gotta jet....TTFN!

First Fill Down....

Well today I had my first fill.  Man, talk about somebody being nervous! ......And when he whipped that needle out..Woooo! My heart jumped!  My mom went with me and she video taped the whole procedure.  She had to wear an X-Ray tech jacket while the doc did his thang. So he told me to stand in between this big machine and line my port up with a box on the side of the machine. The first needle came and he said that I'd feel a slight pinch, it was a numbing agent.  I actually didn't feel anything. Then the second needle came and it was for the fill. He told me to take a gulp of the barium. I took a sissy gulp. LOL! We could see the barium going down my stomach on the monitor they had there. I could see where my band was. Man, technology is insane! He told me to take another gulp of the barium..once again I took a sissy gulp. Why was I taking sissy gulps? I don't know...I was a first timer..maybe it was my nerves. I have no clue.  Then again he told me to take another big gulp and this time he told me my other gulps were sissy gulps.  Well....I couldn't get mad because he was tellin' the truth! LOL


The whole procedure was done within minutes. He added 3CCs to my band.  I left with a little band-aid on my belly.  No biggie! I was told to only drink liquids for the rest of the day b/c my stomach may be a little swollen due to the fill. I can begin soft/mushy foods tomorrow.  I didn't feel any different all day.  I will admit that I'm nervous about actually eating tomorrow. I just don't want anything to come back up. It probably won't but the thought of it happening makes me uneasy.  Once again, I'm probably worrying for nothing. 


Good news! I am exactly 9 pounds down since my surgery date, 1/24/2011! To me, that is a huge deal because I lost 15 lbs. during the all liquids before surgery and 9 lbs after. That's a total of 24 pounds off of my body! I really feel good and proud of myself for getting this far. I hope to lose about 3.5 more pounds by 1/24/2011, my 1 month post-op date.  We'll see! Well time to hit the sack. I am beat!


TTFN!

1st Fill Today

Today I have my first fill appointment. It's exactly in 1 hour. I am extremely nervous, yet excited. I don't know what else to blog about it...I'm just NERVOUS! Like the surgery, once it's done, I'll feel way better. TTFN!

Holy Canoli, Batman!

Whaaaaaaaaat? Okay!! Whhhhaaaaat?? HUH???YAYYYYYY!  I am 291.4 LBS! I was bummed cuz I gained 1.5 pounds last week! Everyone said the gain was muscle since I've been hitting the gym. I didn't care. I wanted to see the numbers FALL! My hubby walked in the door with a digital scale....lo and behold...down 6.1 pounds! Woooooooooooooooo! Yeah, BABY!
That's what I wanna see! This is so motivating! And the best part.....I don't even have a fill! My first one is Tuesday! Insane, insane, insane!

Gooooood Morning! 21 Days Post Op!

Good Morning! In 2 days I get my first fill...and my Dr. does it under fluro! YAY! I hear this helps prevent leakage.  So yesterday I was running around all day and forgot to pack my lunch.  I found myself starving and had to be at an appt in 30 mins. I went to Arby's and got a little Arby Roast beef sandwich, ate the roast beef and tossed the bread. It made me feel a lot better.  I definitely need to pack my lunch and snacks when I know I'm going to have a hectic day. Any fast food really isn't that good for you.  So today I plan on getting in some exercise.  Also, I found some drinks that helps me with energy, is very healthy, no carbonation and is ONLY 35 CALORIES! I will try to post info about it tonight.

My last post I was cravin' for POP or a sip of Moscato.  I kinda got over it.  Pop isn't good for you but yet it tastes so good.  Pop is what helped get me get heavy.  So why did I want it so bad? Old habits.  I need to stop them altogether. Everyday is a work in progress. I will always have cravings, I just need to deal with it when I have them. I just visited a forum where someone lost 100 pounds with the band in 9 months.  That is so commendable! I need to focus on why I got weight loss surgery and make this a success!

Have a wonderful day!

It's been a while....

Well its been 5 days since I blogged..MY BAD!  Okay, let's see if I can sum everything up that has happened so far.  Last Sunday was the Super Bowl and I went over my in-laws.  My mom-in-law had Jimmy John's sandwiches there.  I brought my own food...my favorite since being banded....Tuna salad...YUM! A little later I began to get hungry so I ate turkey, mozzarella cheese, and cottage cheese.  Now, there were cookies, chips and POP.  I really, really wanted sum of that stuff. I just wanted to nibble just a bit of a cookie and eat just one chip ....bet I couldn't eat just one! I totally stayed away from it but I was a little "pouty" within. I hated that I couldn't just eat freely like I once could before! I knew that this was something I'm just gonna have to get over and live with...the crazy temptations and all.  Anyway, I consider Sunday a huge success because I behaved. 

Monday I went hard in the gym....then I left gasping for air and breathing hard.  Why can't I determine when enough is enough?  Why must I have to feel like I'm gonna die when I go so hard?  I should be pushing myself, right? My mistake...Not having my Advair.  The rest of the week was very busy. Kind of a blur!

Wednesday I weighed in...DRUM ROLLLLLL....Gained 1.5 pounds! WHAT??  Everyone is saying that it must be muscle because CLEARLY my clothes are loose on me! When I go to scratch my lower back, I feel less thickness and more smoothness. I got to say.. I LOVE IT!  I have to admit though, the 1.5 pound gain is toally bummin' me out.  Even tho it may be muscle, I want to see the scale go down!!!  It's a mind thing honestly.  I cannot wait to start droppin' weight like its nobody's bizness.  I want to make this a success! 

I have been slacking preparing my food as well as I did last week.  I find myself making a smoothie then waiting too long to eat my next meal which makes me want to eat here and there.  I have gotten more familiar with my band. When I wait too long to eat, I get this crazy hunger pang which feels odd vibrating on my band. It's an "upset stomach" feeling.  Once I put food in my mouth, it's like the little monster inside is satisfied. Then my body feels great.  When I'm on the floor on my knees and my stomach is pressed against my bed or couch, I get the upset stomach feeling again....Like I cannot have pressure on my band. It get up and it feels better. I am more aware of how thoroughly I chew my food.  I like that I am forced to slow down eating.  I can't just eat any and everything anymore. 

POP......I swear..My hubby brought a 2- Litre home and I opened the top..Smelled the sweetness..BTW, it was lemon-lime....  I smelled the sweetness, I put my lips on the opening and closed my eyes and imagined the taste..I did not turn it up..Just put my lips on the opening.  I know, PATHETIC! I miss the carbonation! I miss the fizzy goodness. I miss that insane belch after taking a big swig...  TWO positives..My skin is clearer and no more empty calories.

MOSCATO...I miss it after a hard days work! I actually want to call my Doc to ask if I can have just one drink because my fill is next Tuesday so technically I have no pouch for the carbonated liquid to sit in. It'll go right down.  On the other hand I'm afraid to ask..  I think he's gonna look at me in disgust... Umm, embarrassing.  I'm gonna ask anyway...I'll take the stink face.

Well that's all that's been happening with me..

Until later,
Peace out.

Productive Burping

I found out what I did this morning after swallowing eggs not fully chewed was "productive burping". All I know is that was hell and NEVER AGAIN.

1st "OH CRAP" Moment .....

Sooooo, I made scrambled eggs for my Sunday Breakfast. I took a bite and chewed a couple time and SWALLOWED!  Sweet heavens... I could feel the eggs go down and start to get stuck. I leaned over the fridge and wished like hell it would hurry up and pass. It felt like there was a big ball in your upper chest trying to go down but also trying to come up. 

I ran to the bathroom and to my amazement , I didn't barf! My body did this weird thing. I burped and pieces of eggs came out, another prompt burp came and more little pieces of eggs came out, another prompt burp and more eggs.  Soo why didn't I barf? Is this what happens to bandsters? We BURP the food out?  WEIRD! Crazy part, I don't even have a FILL! Man, chewing alot before swallowing really requires being very aware of what you do when you eat!

WEIGHT Correction

I am down TWO POUNDS not 1.5!!!! YAYYYYY!

Day11 Post Op

Good Morning! Today is Day 11 Post-Op and I feel amazing.  One thing has been on my mind, however. My stomach is at full capacity and I can over-eat if I choose to. That is very nerve-racking.  My Doc said until the first maybe 3 fills, I may not feel restriction at all. So my weight loss right now is basically all up to me!My first fill is on 2/15/11 and I must wait 4 weeks in between fills.  It was suggested that I incorporate Weight Watchers by counting points for everything I eat.  One thing I found interesting though;  I ate 2 hard boiled eggs for dinner and I chewed them well but when I swallowed, it was as if they were having a hard time going down. I could literally feel the eggs going down past the band. I'm not sure if its that eggs were thick n' dry or what. I had no choice but to take a sip of water.  I am down 1.5 pounds which is o.k. I wish it was more but I'll take any weight loss.  My hubby can see weight loss in my backside and the small of my back. I can see it in my thunder-thighs..LOL!  So, I am feeling great this morning. Later today, I'll hit the treadmill.  Gotta work with my band.


Until Later,
SMOOCHES!!!

Today's Workout

Good Mornin'! Okay, I just finished a bike workout and I did waaaay better than I thought I'd do. Twenty minutes on the random hills setting. 4.4 Miles. What was I thinkin' tho? I am dawg tired and I keep coughing. So much for baby steps! Next time, I won't be so Gung Ho!

Approved for MUSHIES! YAY!

Today I was approved to eat mushies..YAY!  The Doc told me to eat 1/2 cup every meal I eat and CHEW, CHEW, CHEW until my food is basically liquefied.  They also reminded me to not drink anything 30 mins prior to and 1 hour after eating.  Otherwise the food will be pushed right through the band.  I also have to limit myself to 40 carbs daily which means I really gotta read labels.  Sooo, I'm looking forward to eggs, tuna salad and other soft foods. Overall, I had a very good day. I had minimal back pain and my belly seems to be great if I watch the volume I consume.


Until tomorrow!

Day 8 Post-Op..Feelin' Good

Good Morning! I feel bad about not blogging the last 2 days. I'll try to keep up daily so that I can remember what I went through after the surgery. So I noticed my stomach swelling went down considerably as of Sunday, post-op day 6. I can tolerate more food but if I overeat, boy it's hell!  I mean eye-crossing hell!  Anyhow, the only pain I have is sporadic back pain which is caused by the hernia repair. Now what's interesting about the back pain is that when it comes, you cannot stand straight up.  You have to crouch or bend over to get weight off of it.  The pain is miserable. I cannot wait until I'm fully recovered from the hernia repair. 


As far as my weight Post-op. I'm still at exactly 298. This is acceptable to me because I didn't get much exercise post-op and I was eating cream soups, fruit juices and Italian ice cups (sweetened with splenda). I'm confused by this "sweetened with Splenda" part because I looked at the label and it said 20 grams of carbs. Ummmm, isn't splenda 0 carbs? Well those Italian ice cup felt good goin down but obviously wasn't good for me.  This is a new journey for me so of course I'm gonna learn by trial and error. 


Well yesterday I got in my first official workout.  The hospital offers a free workout area for bariatric patients. It has a full set of weights, an awesome treadmill, yoga ball, jump ropes, exercise bike and an insane elliptical machine...FREE TO USE!  So I walked on the treadmill for 25 minutes and did arm exercise with the 5lb weights. I figured I can get in at least 20 minutes of exercise in 5 days weekly and progress from there.  Unfortunately because of the snow storm today school is out so I won't make it to the exercise room. I guess I'm gonna have to put in my 'Walking Away the Pounds' DVD.